The latest polls indicate 58 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage. In 1977, that number was 13 percent. One researcher says that jump in support isn't the result of a generational gap — it's that many who once opposed gay marriage have changed their minds or softened their opposition. - gay rights movement championed the individual rights. - many high profile people coming out of closet may have contributed to the "normal" image of gay people and gay relationships. plus high profile hetero people have gay friends and turn into a public ally.

"What is it about our country that we retain such affection for a system which appears at odds with the meritocratic principles of a modern liberal democracy?"

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Bagehot had identified a developing national characteristic. As colonial power and the riches of empire declined, there was an increasing desire to define greatness as something other than wealth and territory. Britain wanted to believe it was, intrinsically, special. "People yield a deference to what we may call the theatrical show of society," he wrote. "The climax of the play is the Queen."

[Everything around the Monarchy, the Queen and hereditary authority acts as IT for] national communion. [Simply British national life held high with pride.] "Uniquely ours."

The explanation, I think, is that the 1950s were also a period in which the country was anxious about how global, institutional and social change might threaten its identity.